Borderline Personality Disorder
Fast Facts: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Is more common than Bipolar, but less well known
- NIMH estimates that 2% of the adult population suffer from BPD. mostly young women
- Fear of abandonment or rejection make many sufferers sabotage a relationship prematurely
What is it?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder and is a serious mental health challenge for those who live with it. It is characterized by instability in moods, a high level of impulsivity, and poor emotional regulation. Self-worth and self-identity are distorted and challenged, and, as a result, relationships become very difficult. Many sufferers are involved in self harm, drug or alcohol abuse, and other dangerous behaviors. The duration of mood swings tend to be shorter (for example, perhaps hours or even a day) than you would find in someone dealing with Bipolar but in some cases the behaviors are more extreme.
What causes it?
There is no consensus answer as to what causes BPD. What is clear is that many who suffer from BPD have a background that involves emotional trauma such as sexual abuse, adoption or abandonment issues, etc. suggesting at least a strong environmental contribution to causation.
How do you help a loved one coping with Borderline Personality Disorder?
A large percentage (estimates vary but some suggest as much as 20% [NIMH]) of psychiatric hospitalizations are due to BPD. Individual and group therapy has proven effective, as has certain medications. One challenge of BPD is that those who suffer from it might be less likely to take medications and might also be anti-authority, making some efforts to assist more challenging.
The CERTS approach:
CERTS provides specific Borderline Personality Disorder treatment centers that combine medication management with intensive, yet loving therapy to help resolve past issues. Indeed, much of the clinical programming is specific to someone who needs specific Borderline Personality disorder treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is combined with recreational therapy, DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), equine assisted psychotherapy, and deep family systems work and therapy to help clients work through and process pain. Close monitoring and supervision make CERTS programs a good choice for many, and has led some to describe them as Borderline Personality Disorder programs for teen girls.
Learn more about Borderline Personality Disorder:
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